Antimicrobial potential of Indian spices

Infectious diseases are increasing at an alarming pace. Many synthetic drugs are for the treatment of these infectious diseases. However, long term exposure of the known antimicrobial drugs has led to emergence of multidrug resistance problem. In addition, available antimicrobial drugs are expensive as well as cause side effects in humans. Hence, there is an urgency to find novel drugs and novel targets. Natural compounds have been one of the alternative promising strategies that have been widely used nowadays. Since antiquity the Indian spices have been utilized for their nutritive and medicinal values. This article at a common platform summarizes the antimicrobial potential of some of the most common and prevalent Indian spices.